The F-35's avionics consist of four tightly integrated main systems, linked by a central fusion engine into a unified tactical picture [13].
Developed by Northrop Grumman, the AN/APG-81 is a third-generation Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) with approximately 1,676 Transmit/Receive Modules (TRMs) based on GaAs (gallium arsenide) [14].
Operating Modes:
The system received the 2010 David Packard Award for acquisition excellence [14].
Six MWIR (Medium-Wave Infrared) sensors distributed across the aircraft provide complete 360-degree infrared coverage [15]. Functions include:
Starting from Lot 15, the original Northrop Grumman system is being replaced by a next-gen version from RTX/Raytheon [16].
Developed by Lockheed Martin, the EOTS is the world's first conformally integrated electro-optical targeting system [17]. It combines:
The Advanced EOTS upgrade (from Block 4) introduces SWIR (Short-Wave Infrared) sensors and HDTV resolution [18].
The Communications, Navigation and Identification (CNI) suite from Northrop Grumman integrates over 27 avionics functions into a Software-Defined Radio system [19]. It includes:
[13] Lockheed Martin: F-35 Mission Systems Design, Development, and Verification (PDF)
[14] Northrop Grumman: AN/APG-81 AESA Fire Control Radar
[15] Wikipedia: AN/AAQ-37 Distributed Aperture System
[16] RTX / Raytheon: Electro-Optical Distributed Aperture System
[17] Lockheed Martin: F-35 Electro Optical Targeting System (EOTS)
[18] Lockheed Martin: EOTS Product Card (PDF)
[19] Northrop Grumman: 100th Communications, Navigation, and Identification System Delivered. 2013 (GlobeNewsWire)